Written Answers Nos. 889-913
889. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if maternity leave for new mothers whose maternity leave is due to cease during Covid-19 will be extended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14746/20]
View answer890. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if maternity leave will be extended for mothers that had babies during the Covid-19 crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14756/20]
View answer891. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to provide for future funding of an extension to paid maternity leave for women affected by the Covid-19 emergency crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14771/20]
View answer892. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the provision of extended maternity leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15125/20]
View answer894. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to extend maternity benefit temporarily due to the effect of Covid-19 on the supply of crèche facilities for very young children and the social isolation faced by mothers who gave birth to a child during the Covid-19 pandemic; the cost that would be associated with an extension of the payment by three months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15182/20]
View answer895. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the extension to maternity leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15239/20]
View answer896. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the request to have maternity benefit extended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15853/20]
View answer900. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the motion and petition on extending maternity leave and benefit. [14667/20]
View answer902. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to extend maternity leave in view of Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14728/20]
View answer904. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to extend maternity leave provisions for women affected by the Covid-19 crisis while on leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14773/20]
View answer913. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to extend maternity leave due to the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on mothers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14924/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 889 to 892, inclusive, 894 to 896, inclusive, 900, 902, 904 and 913 together.
As the law now stands, a mother is entitled to paid maternity leave of up to 26 weeks, and up to a further 16 weeks of unpaid leave. Two weeks must be taken before the baby is due, and at least four weeks must be taken after the birth. Any amendment to the legislation governing the provision of maternity leave, which falls under my responsibility, would require primary legislation. The provision of maternity benefit is under the remit of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
In recognition of the particular challenges that mothers and parents have faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government is considering a proposal to advance the extension of Parent’s Leave and Benefit to five weeks for all parents of children born after 1 November 2019, to enable every eligible parent of young children to spend additional time with their child.
At present, Parent’s Leave entitles each parent to 2 weeks’ leave during the first year of a child’s life, or in the case of adoption, within one year of the placement of the child with the family.
The Government proposal would mean that eligible parents of children born during the pandemic crisis will get an extra three weeks of Parent’s Leave to offset the impact of having a child during the strict lockdown measures. The period in which Parent’s Leave can be taken will also be extended from one year to two years. This will be considered as part of the Budget 2021 process. The support is paid at a rate of €245 per week.
Parental leave is also available which entitles parents to take unpaid leave from work to spend time looking after their children. Parents can take up to 22 weeks of parental leave for each eligible child before their 12th birthday.
The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) was introduced under the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020, to attempt to minimise the negative impact on the labour market through an exceptional period beginning on 26 March and scheduled to run for an initial period of 12 weeks.
On 3 June, the Government announced the TWSS would accommodate the salaries of parents returning from maternity or adoptive leave. This will be provided for by way of amendment in the Finance Bill 2020 process, and that in the meantime Revenue will implement the provision from 26 March, where applicable.
893. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the former Tánaiste ceded his State car and Garda driver; the reason this was not done automatically when he ceased to be Tánaiste; the cost per annum of such services for the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality; and the figures for each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020. [15157/20]
View answerI understand it is the decision of the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána that it is appropriate for the current arrangements to remain in place for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate to comment any further on security arrangements which are kept under ongoing review by An Garda Síochána.
I have requested the costs per annum of such services and the figures for the years in question from An Garda Síochána and will write to the Deputy upon receipt of them.
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 to 30/06 |
|
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Taoiseach |
201,399 |
211,287 |
111,347 |
|
Tanaiste |
212,967 |
209,176 |
114,140 |
|
Minister for Justice |
194,760 |
203,711 |
115,011 |
897. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if moneys paid through the HAP scheme and homeless HAP scheme is considered as means or income for the purpose of calculating eligibility for civil legal advice and legal aid; the suggested recourse for a person who has been denied civil legal advice or a representative due to the fact he or she has accessed housing supports through HAP or the homeless HAP scheme and is left in a precarious situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15859/20]
View answerThe Legal Aid Board provides legal advice and aid under the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 (“the Act”) and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996-2017 (“the Regulations”). The Board delivers these services through directly employed solicitors in its network of law centres around the country and private solicitors from its private practitioner panels.
Section 3(3) of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 provides that the Legal Aid Board shall, subject to the provisions of the Act, be independent in the exercise of its functions. To be of assistance to the Deputy, however, I have had enquiries made with the Legal Aid Board and am advised as follows:
Applicants for legal aid must meet the financial eligibility criteria under section 29 of the Act and the Regulations. This provides that their disposable income (less certain allowances) must be below €18,000 and their disposable capital (less certain allowances and excluding the value of the home in which they live) must be below €100,000.
The Regulations make detailed provision for what is to be taken into account as income. In particular, Regulation 13(8) provides that:
““income", in relation to an applicant, means the income which he or she may reasonably expect to receive from all sources…”
The effect of Regulation 13(8) is effectively that all income an applicant receives from whatever source must be taken into account unless it is specifically excluded. In addition Regulations 15(1)(e) states as follows:
“Subject to paragraph (8) of Regulation 13 and paragraph (6) of Regulation 16, 'income' shall include_
(e) the value of other benefits or privileges including the value of free or partly free board…”
Taking into account the above Regulations and in the absence of any provision specifically excluding Housing Assistance Payment as income, the Legal Aid Board is required to take Housing Assistance Payment (including Homeless HAP) into account as a form of income.
Any applicant who is aggrieved by any decision of the Board is entitled to seek an internal review of the decision within one month of the date of the decision and to submit further information in support of such a review. They are also entitled to appeal the matter to an appeal committee consisting of non-executive members of the Legal Aid Board.
The Board periodically brings proposals to my Department in relation to the financial eligibility and other criteria in relation to civil legal aid. The Legal Aid Board has provided a submission to my Department in regard to financial eligibility criteria for legal aid, including in regard to HAP payments, which is under consideration by my officials.
898. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the limited time to seek employment will be extended in respect of residents in direct provision centres, taking into account the impact Covid-19 has had on finding employment due to restrictions put in place; if those who could not find employment within a certain timeframe will not be negatively impacted in relation to their asylum applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15911/20]
View answerIn the assessment of all international protection applications each case is assessed on its own merits and each applicant is interviewed and given every opportunity to explain all the circumstances of their case and reasons why they fear returning to their country of origin. The granting or refusal of a Labour Market Access permission has no impact on the determination of an international protection application.
The European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, transposing the EU (Recast) Reception Conditions Directive, came into effect from 30 June 2018. The Regulations included access to the labour market for eligible international protection applicants. The Regulations provide access to both employment and to self-employment. Any applicant who has not received a first instance decision within 9 months can make an application for a labour market access permission.
If the application is successful, a labour market access permission, once granted, is valid for 6 months from the date of issue and can be renewed until a final decision is made on an applicant’s international protection application. There is no time limit or obligation for a person to seek employment while holding such a permission.
The permission expires immediately if the applicant gets a final negative decision within the six month period. If the applicant is still awaiting a first instance decision after the expiry of the six month period, the permission may be renewable. Application for a renewal of the permission must be submitted to the Labour Market Access Unit of the Immigration Service of my Department one month in advance of the expiry date.
At the end of last year, my Department commenced work on a review of access to the labour market for international protections applicants. To date, the review has involved consultation with other divisions within the Department and with some key external stakeholders such as Ibec. It also involved a review of the submissions on labour market access made to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality in connection with its report on Direct Provision and the International Protection Process published in December 2019. The review is currently being finalised by my Department and I expect to receive it shortly for consideration.
Last year, Dr Catherine Day was asked to bring together an expert group with representation from asylum seekers and NGOs to examine best practice in other European States in the provision of services to international protection applicants, to examine likely longer term trends and to set out recommendations and solutions. The work of the group is advancing at pace and their report is expected by the end of September. A briefing paper on the work of the group, prepared by the Chairperson to inform programme for government talks, was recently circulated to members of both Houses of the Oireachtas by the previous Minister. This includes a list of measures, identified so far, which would immediately improve the situation of those currently in direct provision including extending the right to work. This will also inform the review mentioned above.
899. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of dismantling direct provision; and if there is to be increased funding to her Department to this end. [16035/20]
View answerAs confirmed in the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to ensuring that Ireland provides protection to those seeking refuge from conflict and persecution, as is required under international law. The Government is also committed to ending the Direct Provision system within the lifetime of the Government and to replacing it with a new international protection accommodation policy, centred on a not-for-profit approach. Last year, Dr Catherine Day was asked to bring together an expert group with representation from asylum seekers and NGOs to examine best practice in other European States in the provision of services to international protection applicants, to examine likely longer term trends and to set out recommendations and solutions. Any new system for the provision of accommodation and additional supports to international protection applicants will be informed by the Report of this Expert Group.
Responsibility for the accommodation system is transferring from my Department to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, and officials from both Departments are making the necessary arrangements to facilitate the transfer of functions.
Where responsibility for a matter is transferred between Departments, in line with the Transfer of Functions Guidelines, the resources to implement that responsibility (including staff, pay, non-pay or programme spend) also transfer. The Guidelines state that further revised estimates, amended estimates or a supplementary estimate, as appropriate, will be prepared to take account of changes in function.
Once a plan to implement the commitment to end the use of the direct provision system of accommodation and other State supports in the Programme for Government is determined by Government, it will be possible for the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to cost the proposed alternative.
901. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); if the return of original documents submitted as part of the person's application will be expedited in view of the fact the individual is urgently required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14718/20]
View answerThe person concerned made an application for a certificate of naturalisation on 10 May 2018 and submitted their national passport. Correspondence issued to the applicant's solicitor on 26 February 2019, advising that the passport was subject to examination and verification procedures.
The checks involved identified a possible issue with the passport submitted by the applicant and it is therefore subject to further investigation. The solicitor, for the applicant, was advised that my Department will revert to them on completion of the relevant investigation.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process.
903. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application by a person (details supplied); when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14733/20]
View answerIn response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned.
These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.
This case is amongst many to be considered at present and, as such, it is not possible at this point in time to provide a specific indication as to when the case will be finalised. However, the person concerned can be assured that there will be no avoidable delay in having their case brought to finality.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
905. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position on extraditing persons to states such as Lithuania, which are documented by international human rights organisations as having severe human rights violations of their prison populations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14774/20]
View answerThe High Court is the competent authority in this State for matters and decisions in relation to extradition and surrender under the European Arrest Warrant. It is entirely independent in the discharge of these functions.
Any person who is before the Court in relation to such matters is entitled to legal representation and may bring any issue they consider to be of relevance to their case to the Court's attention.
It would be entirely inappropriate for me as Minister to make any further comment on this matter.
906. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will commission an independent inquiry as supported by the Thirty-second Dáil into the circumstances surrounding the death of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14775/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, a retired judge, Gerard Haughton, is conducting a scoping exercise into the tragic death of the person in question, whose case has been discussed in Dáil Éireann on a number of occasions. The judge furnished an interim report to my predecessor on 13 November last. Following consultation with the family concerned, Judge Haughton and the Attorney General, the interim report was published on 17 December 2019.
In his interim report, Judge Haughton states that he will not restrict or limit the family in their submissions to him or the nature and extent of the documentation they wish to furnish to him in his scoping exercise.
I am glad to note that the family are working with Judge Haughton. My Department is in regular contact with the judge and has assured him of any assistance he requires to complete his final report.
I understand that Judge Haughton has recently informed my Department and the family of the reasons why he does not believe that he can finalise matters within the timescale referred to in his Interim Report and has indicated that it is likely to be late September before he will be in a position to conclude the scoping exercise.
It is of course open to the judge to make any recommendation he sees fit in his final report, including the establishment of any form of statutory or non-statutory inquiry. I will await the recommendation of Judge Haughton in his final report before making any decision in relation to further inquiries into this matter.
907. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she will take to abolish the direct provision system; and her plans to replace same. [14776/20]
View answerAs confirmed in the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to ensuring that Ireland provides protection to those seeking refuge from conflict and persecution, as is required under international law. It is also committed to ending the current system of directly providing accommodation and other State supports to applicants for international protection within the lifetime of the Government and to replacing it with a new international protection accommodation policy, centred on a not-for-profit approach. Responsibility for the accommodation system is transferring from my Department to the Department of Children, Disability, Equality and Integration and officials from both Departments are making the necessary arrangements to facilitate the transfer of functions.
Last year, Dr Catherine Day was asked to bring together an expert group with representation from asylum seekers and NGOs to examine best practice in other European States in the provision of services to international protection applicants, to examine likely longer term trends and to set out recommendations and solutions. Any new system for the provision of accommodation and additional supports to international protection applicants will be informed by the Report of this Expert Group.
The Group is examining both the reception system for accommodating applicants and the system for processing applications, and is expected to make recommendations for changes in both areas. A briefing paper on the work of the group, prepared by the Chairperson to inform programme for government talks, was recently circulated to members of both Houses of the Oireachtas by the previous Minister. The work of the group is advancing at pace and their report is expected by the end of September.
The intention as stated in the Programme for Government is to publish a White Paper by the end of this year, informed by the recommendations of the Expert Group, which will set out how a replacement to the Direct Provision system will be structured and the steps to achieving it. It will be a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, to progress the matter following the transfer of this function to his Department.
908. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a copy of the departmental briefings received by her and each Minister of State in her Department upon taking up each individual role; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14807/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department intends to publish the briefing material provided to the Minister and Minister of State, subject to appropriate redaction guided by the Freedom of Information Act, and will provide the Deputy with a copy of this as soon as it is available.
909. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the request to set aside a deportation order in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14825/20]
View answerRepresentations have been received on behalf of the person mentioned by the Deputy requesting that the deportation order be revoked, pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).
These representations will be considered as soon as possible. A decision will then be made to either "affirm" or "revoke" the existing deportation order. This decision will be communicated in writing. In the meantime, the deportation order remains valid and in place.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the Immigration Service of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the Immigration Service is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
910. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of category B, C, D and E complaints made by prisoners in 2019 and to date in 2020; the details of the outcomes upheld, not upheld, not proven, terminated, incomplete or withdrawn; the length of time it took to complete and communicate the outcomes of complaints to prisoners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14826/20]
View answerA prisoner complaints system was introduced by the Irish Prison Service in November 2012, based on a model recommended by the then-Inspector of Prisons, the late Judge Michael Reilly. The current Irish Prison Service Complaints Policy is available on the website www.irishprisons.ie.
As set out in more detail in that policy, all prisoners have the right to make a complaint at any time and all complaints are treated with the utmost seriousness. The current system categorises complaints according to their nature and seriousness, ranging from the most serious 'Category A' through to a 'Category F' complaint.
- The most serious "Category A" complaints are those alleging assault or use of excessive force against a prisoner, or ill treatment, racial abuse, discrimination, intimidation, threats or any other conduct against a prisoner of a nature and gravity likely to bring discredit on the Irish Prison Service. I understand that Category A complaints are independently investigated by persons outside the Prison Service.
- Category B complaints are serious level complaints, which may include verbal abuse, inappropriate searches or any conduct against a prisoner of a nature likely to bring discredit on the Irish Prison Service.
- Category C may include complaints about visits, phone calls, reception issues.
- Category D complaints can be made against professionals which include medical personnel and solicitors.
- Category E can be made by visitors to the prison.
Further information on this system, including these categories, is available on the website of the Irish Prison Service at the following link: https://www.irishprisons.ie/prisoner-services/prisoner-complaints/
In response to this question and further to the Deputy's previous parliamentary Question No. 318 for reply on 30 June 2020, the following table, furnished to me by the Irish Prison Service, sets out the number of category B, C, D and E complaints received in 2019 and to date in 2020.
|
Complaints received |
Category B |
Category C |
Category D |
Category E |
Total |
|
2019 |
149 |
678 |
137 |
12 |
976 |
|
2020 (as of May 2020) |
55 |
243 |
40 |
2 |
340 |
The following table, furnished to me by the Irish Prison Service, sets out the further details requested by the Deputy, namely the details of the outcome of complaints. I am informed that 'other' refers to vexatious complaints.
|
2019 |
2020 |
|
|
Upheld/Partially upheld |
137 |
51 |
|
Not upheld |
550 |
167 |
|
Withdrawn |
19 |
10 |
|
Incomplete |
35 |
31 |
|
Resolved |
197 |
74 |
|
Not investigated |
25 |
2 |
|
Other |
13 |
5 |
I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that prisons have reported that the average length of time to complete and communicate outcomes in these categories of complaints is between two and six weeks.
Finally and set out in more detail in my reply to parliamentary Question No. 314 of 30 June 2020, I have been advised that the introduction and implementation of a new Prison Service Complaints Policy is a priority for the Irish Prison Service. I understand that work is well advanced in this regard and that the Irish Prison expects to introduce the new prisoner complaints system before the end of 2020.
911. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the number of public health passenger locater forms issued and processed by her officials during their tenure of the collection of same on a temporary administrative basis on behalf of the health authorities will be provided; the number of follow-up checks conducted on persons that submitted forms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14856/20]
View answerOn the 28 April 2020 my Department agreed to undertake, on behalf of the health authorities, the collection of public health passenger locator forms on a temporary administrative basis. The Border Management Unit (BMU) operate the scheme at Dublin Airport, which is the principal route through which people enter the State by air. While the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) manage the compliance for the other ports, the passenger locator forms are forwarded to the BMU in Dublin Airport, who also carry out the follow-up calls for those ports.
Any cases of non-compliance, identified by the BMU are referred directly to the GNIB for follow up. Section 31(a) of the Health Act 1947 (as amended) provides for powers of arrest for An Garda Síochána. The Act and the regulations were brought forward by the Minister for Health.
The BMU established a system to follow-up on all arrivals at a proportionate rate of a minimum of 70%, after removal of the exempt categories of passengers. The cohort of passengers failing to answer initial phone calls are followed up with repeated further telephone contacts. The first calls are made two days after passengers have arrived into the State. For any passengers staying in the State for up to 14 days or more, a second call will be made on day 10 to ensure they are still residing at the address provided and self-isolating.
The BMU operates 24/7 on a split roster over two terminals in Dublin Airport, comprising of eight teams working a 12 hour shift. The current staffing numbers are as follows:
- 1 Assistant Principal Officer
- 2 Higher Executive Officers
- 18 Executive Officers
- 128 Clerical Officers.
Since the introduction of the Passenger Locator Form, every member of the Unit has been involved in the collection of passenger information and follow up phone calls to passengers.
There has been almost 100% compliance at Dublin Airport with the requirement to complete the form from incoming passengers. To date, only 3 people have been referred to GNIB due to their refusal to complete.
Up until late June 2020, 100% of inward travellers were phoned by the Border Management Unit. Due to a natural increase in passenger numbers, and the return by BMU staff to core functions, this percentage has reduced since 1st July 2020.
The table below details the compliance rate for the period 28 April – 30 June 2020.
|
Dublin Airport |
|
|
Passenger Arrivals |
28.4.20 - 30.6.20 |
|
Forms Received |
41,949 |
|
Exempt from Follow-Up This includes passengers - Transiting to NI - In the State for less than 2 days - Completing forms unnecessarily |
11,695 |
|
Number of Call 1 Made (2 days after Arrival) |
28,544 |
|
Calls Answered |
18,246 |
|
% Answered |
64% |
|
Passenger Arrivals |
28.04.20 - 19.06.20 |
|
Number of Call 2 Made (12 days after Arrival) |
16,295 |
|
Calls Answered |
8,649 |
|
% Answered |
51% |
|
Dublin Port |
|
|
Passenger Arrivals |
28.4.20 - 30.6.20 |
|
Forms Received |
19,338 |
|
Exempt from Follow-Up This includes passengers - Transiting to NI - In the State for less than 2 days - Completing forms unnecessarily |
12,082 |
|
Number of Calls Made |
6,645 |
|
Calls Answered |
3,283 |
|
% Answered |
49% |
|
Rosslare Port |
|
|
Passenger Arrivals |
28.4.20 - 23.6.20 |
|
Forms Received |
4,584 |
|
Exempt from Follow-Up This includes passengers - Transiting to NI - In the State for less than 2 days - Completing forms unnecessarily |
2,637 |
|
Number of Calls Made |
1,889 |
|
Calls Answered |
999 |
|
% Answered |
53% |
|
Cork Airport |
|
|
Passenger Arrivals |
28.4.20 - 25.6.20 |
|
Forms Received |
1,676 |
|
Exempt from Follow-Up This includes passengers - Transiting to NI - In the State for less than 2 days - Completing forms unnecessarily |
315 |
|
Number of Calls Made |
1,359 |
|
Calls Answered |
720 |
|
% Answered |
53% |
The BMU continues to carry out the follow up phone calls on behalf of the HSE, but as passenger numbers are expected to increase significantly over the coming days, the BMU will need to focus exclusively on their core function of immigrating passengers and the HSE will take responsibility for this function. Discussions are ongoing between both Departments to finalise a date for the handover.
912. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department was notified of a hunger strike or protest in Cork prison in July 2013 by the Prison Service; if an official complaint was made known to the governor at the time; the action taken by the governor as a result of these complaints; if there was an investigation into these claims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14857/20]
View answerFollowing the provision of further information by the Deputy, I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that it is conducting a search of records dating to 2013, to establish whether there was an incident of the type referred to and any other information in that regard.
I will write directly to the Deputy as soon as possible, once the results of that search of records are available.
